Punjab Police Busts Foreign-Backed Gangster Module, Four Arrested with Illegal Weapons
SAS Nagar (Mohali): In a significant blow to organized crime, the Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and SAS Nagar Police successfully dismantled a gangster module being operated by foreign-based handlers. The operation, which resulted in the arrest of key operative Navjot Singh alias Jota and three Rajasthan-based illegal weapon suppliers, was announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, on Friday.
The module was allegedly being controlled by Pavitar, operating out of the USA, and Manjinder, based in France. These handlers were reportedly orchestrating illegal activities in Punjab through local operatives like Navjot Singh alias Jota. The weapon suppliers arrested were identified as Mohammad Asif, Bhanu Sisodia, and Anil Kumar, all residents of Balotra district in Rajasthan. According to the DGP, these men have a history of criminal involvement.
Navjot Singh, alias Jota, is a well-known criminal with 21 serious cases registered against him, ranging from attempted murder, robbery, and snatching, to offenses under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act. The DGP revealed that the gang was planning to use the weapons to target a recently bailed-out rival gangster and a travel agent, following instructions from their foreign handlers.
In a joint operation, AGTF and SAS Nagar Police intercepted the weapon suppliers near the Focal Point on Dera Bassi-Mubarakpur Road after receiving intelligence about an arms consignment being delivered to Punjab. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar, Deepak Pareek, explained that the input suggested the Rajasthan-based gang was transporting weapons to their associates in the state. The police laid a special “naka” (checkpost) and apprehended the four suspects, including Jota, who had arrived to collect the arms.
During the operation, the police recovered two pistols, one of which was a sophisticated automatic .32 caliber, along with eight live cartridges. DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that this consignment was intended for Navjot Singh alias Jota, who was preparing to carry out assassinations as per the instructions of Pavitar and Manjinder.
The arrests have dealt a serious blow to the criminal network operating across international borders. “Preliminary investigations indicate that the module was being closely coordinated by handlers based overseas, who were orchestrating criminal activities in Punjab from abroad,” said the DGP. “The arrest of these four individuals is a step toward dismantling these transnational organized crime syndicates.”
SSP Deepak Pareek further elaborated on the ongoing investigation, saying that the police are now focused on uncovering the full extent of the module’s operations and identifying other individuals involved. “We are conducting further inquiries to establish the backward and forward linkages, and we expect more arrests in the coming days,” Pareek said.
The AGTF, created specifically to deal with the growing menace of organized crime and gangster activities in Punjab, has been working in close coordination with local police forces to target criminals operating both within and outside the state. This recent operation is part of a broader campaign to curb the influence of gangsters in Punjab, especially those backed by foreign handlers who use technology and local contacts to spread their network.
DGP Yadav reiterated the Punjab Police’s commitment to maintaining law and order and safeguarding citizens from the threats posed by organized crime. “This operation showcases the collaborative efforts of the AGTF and local police in taking down criminal modules, especially those with international backing. We will continue our relentless pursuit to keep Punjab safe,” he said.
A case under sections 25(6) and 25(7) of the Arms Act has been registered at Dera Bassi Police Station (FIR No. 313). The Punjab Police have assured the public that efforts to apprehend all individuals involved in these illegal activities will continue.